Pinch to open sample collection device

ABSTRACT

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position to protect the sample for storage and optionally process the sample within the housing. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to a co-pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/577,761 filed Oct. 27, 2017 and a co-pendingU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/578,557 filed Oct. 30,2017 entitled “Blood Metering and Storage Device”. The entire contentsof each of the above-referenced applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This patent relates to devices and methods for body fluid samplecollection.

Background Information

Blood used for diagnostic testing is most often extracted from a patientwith a hypodermic needle and collected in a test tube. The collectedblood is then packaged for shipment to a remote lab where variousdiagnostic tests are performed. However, many diagnostic tests requiresignificantly less volume than the actual collected sample. Separationof cellular components from the sample is also needed for some tests.

Many tests only require small blood samples, where a finger stick ratherthan a hypodermic needle can produce enough blood. But this small amountof blood cannot be easily transported to a remote lab. If the testingmethod cannot be immediately used at the same time the blood isextracted, convenient and reliable methods of collecting, prepping, andpreserving small amounts of blood are still needed.

US Patent Publication US2014/0050620A1, assigned to BostonMicrofluidics, Inc., describes several ways to implement a portable,user-friendly device for collecting a biological fluid sample andstabilizing it for transport to a remote lab. The devices include asmall, hand-held housing that provides a chamber for collecting a fluidsample. Movement of the housing itself, and/or mechanisms located withinthe housing, initiate collection of a predetermined, metered volume of afluid sample. The devices may also stabilize the collected sample and/orseal the sample in the chamber. Other mechanisms in the device may mixthe collected sample with a reagent.

SUMMARY

A sample collection device can be used to collect, meter, and heparinizea body fluid sample. Fluid collected from a patient is first introducedinto the device via a sample port, such as by directing blood dropletsfrom a fingertip into a well. In some configurations, meteringcapillaries then extract blood from the sample port and deposit it ontoa storage media via capillary action. In addition, one or more plungers,coupled to a closeable housing, may further encourage dispensing fluidfrom the metering capillaries and onto the storage media. The plungersmay be attached to one or more movable housing pieces, such that whenthe housing is moved from an open to a closed position, the plungers areforced through the capillaries.

Some embodiments of the device include a stabilization agent arranged toengage the fluid as the one or more plungers dispense fluid onto themembrane. The stabilization agent may be heparin and/or EDTA. Thestabilization agent may be coated or deposited onto an interior of atleast one of the capillaries or the plungers or the storage membrane.This configuration may also include a desiccant located adjacent themembrane.

In some arrangements, an assay region may also be located between thecapillaries and the membrane, such that the stored reagent is mixed withthe fluid when the housing is moved from the open position to the closedposition.

A raised ridge portion may be provided adjacent the well. The ridgeprovides a convenient place to wipe a patient's finger to encourageblood droplets to better flow.

The housing may also include one or more windows positioned on thehousing in a location such that at least a portion of the capillariesand/or sample media are visible through the window.

A first housing section and second housing section may engage and slidealong a center support section, to allow moving the housing from theopen position to the closed position, and thus push the plungers throughthe capillaries. In that configuration, the center support section mayinclude an opening for the insert element that defines the sample well.

The sample well may be defined by an inlay element disposed within thehousing. In that case, the inlay may also provide the raised ridgeportion. The inlay typically further includes one or more thru holes,each for holding a respective one of capillaries in a defined position.The inlay piece can also be used to retain at least one capillary inalignment with at least one of the plungers as the housing is moved fromthe open position to the closed position.

The inlay element may also include a slot disposed at an exit port ofthe one or more capillaries. The slot provides a directed path for bloodexiting the capillaries onto the storage media.

The capillaries and/or an inlay part that provides the sample well andsupports the capillaries may also be wholly or partially transparent.These design feature can provide further visible confirmation that asample of blood fluid is properly collected and/or stored.

The plungers can be connected to a tab attachment on an end distal fromthe capillaries. The tab can be disposed adjacent one of the housingpieces, so that the plungers are forced into the capillaries as thehousing is closed.

A ratcheting mechanism may be located at one end of the backbone, tofurther assist with holding the housing in the closed position duringtransit. That mechanism may be engaged when the housing is moved fromthe open to the closed position. In some embodiments, access holes areprovided at one end of the housing, a tool to more easily disengage theratcheting mechanism, and pry open the housing to gain access to thestored blood sample.

The storage media may take different forms. For example, it may be asubstrate having a pair of engagement tabs therein and spaced apart fromone another. The blood sample collection storage media is then disposedon the substrate and sized to fit between the engagement tabs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a blood sample collection device in theopen position, before it is used.

FIG. 2 is a view of the collection device in the closed position.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view showing components of one example of thecollection device.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of another example device with twomembranes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective top and side views of one way toimplement the sample media and media support. FIG. 4C is a top view ofthe media and FIG. 4D a top view of the support.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sample media.

FIG. 6 is a view of the device with the top housing covers removed.

FIG. 7 shows a plunger support area and inlay in more detail.

FIG. 8 is a view of the bottom with housing covers and media supportremoved.

FIG. 9 is a similar view of the bottom but with the media support inplace.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing more detail of the components of oneexample implementation of an inlay.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of the inlay.

FIG. 12 is a finger swipe ridge.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the inlay.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device with a housing cover removedshowing a location for a desiccant tablet.

FIG. 15 is a another view of a portion of a backbone and plungers.

FIG. 16 is a detailed view of a clip holding a collection element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example fluid collection device 100.The device 100 includes a two-piece housing 101 that supports andencloses a fluid sample port 102. The housing 101 includes a firsthousing piece 101-A and second housing piece 101-B. In this view, thehousing is in the open position with the two housing pieces 101-A, 101-Bspaced apart from one another, to provide access to the sample port 102.A sample collection well 104 and one or more capillaries 105 locatedadjacent the sample port 102 are partially visible in this figure. Awindow 150 in the housing permits a user to confirm the status of one ormore portions of a fluid sample in the process of being collected and/orstored within the device 100.

FIG. 2 is a similar isometric view of the device 100. In this view, ablood sample has been taken via the sample port 102, and the two housingpieces 101-A and 101-B have been pushed together to place the device 100in a closed position. In this closed position, the window 150 stillprovides access to the blood collection status.

The device 100 is typically used to collect a blood sample as follows.The device 100 is initially presented in its open position, as per FIG.1, to provide access to the well 104. A user, such as a patient herselfor a health care professional, then uses a lancet to produce a bloodsample such as from a finger tip. Drops of whole blood are then takenwith the finger positioned near to, above, adjacent to, or even incontact with the well 104 or other parts of the sample port 102 tominimize blood spillage.

Blood is then eventually drawn into the rest of the device 100 in one ormore different ways. As will be explained in more detail below for oneembodiment, blood flows and/or is first drawn from the well 104 by oneor more collection capillaries 105 adjacent the sample port viacapillary action. The capillaries may be visibly transparent so that theuser can confirm that blood is being properly drawn into the device 100.The capillaries 105 can optionally be pre-coated with reagents such asheparin and/or EDTA for subsequent stabilization and preservation of thesample. The capillaries 105 can also have a known and predeterminedvolume, in which case the incoming sample is precisely metered. Thecollection capillaries 105 then direct the metered sample to a mediainside the device housing 101

The user, who can be the patient himself/herself or a healthcareprofessional, then manually closes the device 100 by pushing the twohousing pieces 101-A, 101-B together, resulting in the housing positionshown in FIG. 2. As more fully explained below, the motion associatedwith closing the housing may then optionally enact one or moremechanisms that further process the sample, and to securely store itinside the device 100.

The window 150 may include a transparent piece of material that enablesthe user to view the state of the sample port 102, the well 104, and/orcollection capillaries 105. In that way, an indication of whether asufficient sample of blood is being drawn into the device 100 (when thehousing 101 is in the open position of FIG. 1) or was drawn into thedevice (when the housing 101 is in the closed position as in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3A is a more detailed, exploded view of the components of thedevice 100. The first housing piece 101-A consists of a top case 201-A-1and bottom case 201-A-2, and second housing piece 101-B consists of atop case 201-B-1 and bottom case 201-B-2.

A backbone structure 203 provides a support for the two housing pieces101-A, 101-B. The inside vertical walls of the housing pieces 201-A,201-B may engage elongated slots or other structures formed in thebackbone 203, thus enabling at least second housing piece 101-B to slideback and forth along the backbone, and to thus move the housing into theopen or closed position. In one arrangement, first housing piece 101-Aremains fixed in position on backbone 203. However other embodiments arepossible where first housing piece 101-A slides on backbone 203 andsecond housing piece 101-B remains fixed, or where both housing pieces101-A, 101-B can slide with respect to one another.

The backbone 203 also supports other components of the device 100. Forexample, the backbone 203 provides a location for the sample collectionport 102, as formed from an inlay part (also referred to as a capillarysupport element) 252. A plunger rack 202 is also supported by thebackbone 203. The backbone 203 may further include a ribbed section 230to support a desiccant tablet (not shown in FIG. 3) to further dry thecollected sample. The backbone 203 may also have tines at an end thatprovide a ratcheting closure 240, which is activated when the twohousing pieces 101-A, 101-B are pushed together.

Capillaries 204 (also referred to with reference number 105 in otherfigures) are inserted into and held in place by longitudinal holes (notshown in FIG. 3) formed in the inlay 252. The capillaries and may beformed as a rigid tube of precisely defined volume, in which case theyalso serve a metering function. The capillaries 204 extract a definedquantity of blood by engagement with the blood in the sample collectionport 102 through capillary action. The inlay 252 may fit into a hole 221in backbone 203. As explained in further detail below, the inlay 252defines the location of a well 104 into which the patient's blood isintroduced.

The capillaries 204 can optionally be pre-coated with reagents, heparin,EDTA, or other substances.

One or more capillaries 204 may also store a predetermined amount of aliquid reagent. Such a reagent may then be dispensed together or inparallel with the blood sample when the housing is moved from the opento the closed position. However, reagents of other types may also belocated in a storage region within the housing. The storage region (notdesignated in the figures), may hold a first type of reagent such as asolid surface or substrate, and a second type being a liquid storagechamber, each of which are placed in the path of the blood samplecollected by the device 100.

In one arrangement, the one or more plungers 202 firmly engage with theinner diameter of the capillaries 204, creating a shutoff that blocksoff any excess blood sample while also pushing the metered sample volumeto the subsequent downstream processing steps.

A base 206 may also fit into the backbone 203 to provide additionalmechanical support for a blood collection element 250. The collectionelement 250 may consist of a sample media (also called a membraneherein) 209 that is supported and/or held in place by other componentsthat assist with handling the sample media 209 when it is removed fromthe device 101 for processing by a laboratory. These other parts of thecollection element 250 may include the base 206, a top frame 208, mediasupport 210, and bottom frame 211. The top 208 and bottom 211 frame mayhave extensions 222A-, 222-B on an outboard end. The extensions 222further assist with handling the collection element 250 during and afterits removal from the housing 101.

The sample media 209 may be a plasma separation membrane or filter ofvarious types located at or near an exit port of the capillaries 105.For example, a mixed-cellulose ester membrane such as the Pall VividPlasma Separation available from Pall™ Corporation. The membrane 209 mayalso be an LF1 glass fiber membrane (sold by General Electric™ Company)or some other media designed to receive serum or whole blood which itthen separates into a blood portion and a plasma portion. A media suchas LF1 paper has a fibrous structure that causes differential migrationof the sample, with a slower rate for red cells, resulting in a gradualseparation of plasma sample as it migrates down the paper. The membrane209 can optionally be previously impregnated with heparin, EDTA, sugars,or other stabilization agents. LF1 paper, which separates plasma fromred blood cells through a fiber matrix, is preferred in someembodiments, because it causes a slower migration rate for the bloodcells. However other types of separation membranes for blood eitherliquid or dried may be used.

Plasma separation may also be achieved through non-membranemicrostructures that exclude red cells by size. For example, plasmaseparation can be achieved or enhanced by selectively binding red cellsas well. Binding agents are typically coated on a membrane or microstructure but could also be deposited in a channel.

The sample media 209 can also be coated with various chemicals toperform a test, such as an assay, on the collected sample. Thus, animmunoassay strip can be substituted for all, or for part of, ortogether with the sample media 209. When device 100 is closed, thesample is delivered to a sample pad area on the immunoassay strip. Thewindow 150 may also allow for visual inspection of color change resultsof the immunoassay or other test.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of one such example device 100, similar toFIG. 3A. However, this device 100 has both a collection membrane 209 andan immunoassay strip 309. The membrane 209 and strip 309 may be arrangedin parallel. The collection membrane 209 receives and stores a bloodsample from some capillaries, and the immunoassay (or other test) strip309 may receive and process a blood sample from other capillaries.

Alternatively, the sample could be delivered to an assay region withinthe housing 101 where capture molecules are exposed to the sample andbind analytes. These analytes could then be bound by a conjugate makingthem detectable. The bound analytes may also modify the optical orelectrical properties of the surface they are bound to, making themdetectable directly.

It can now be appreciated that the action of closing the housing piecestogether causes the blood sample to be drawn from the well 104, to bedrawn into the capillaries 105 via both capillary action and mechanicalforce, exiting the capillaries to be deposited onto the sample media209. In particular, the plungers 202 are engaged by housing piece 201-A,and the capillary tubes 105 are in turn held in place within the inlay252. Thus, as the housing sections are closed together, the plungers 202are forced into the capillaries 105, which in turn force blood to exitonto the membrane 209.

In some implementations, the material used to fabricate one or moresections or parts of the inlay piece 252 may have an elasticity that issufficient to hold the capillary tubes 105 in place while the plungers202 are forced into them. The elasticity of inlay 252 may also be chosento seal and/or prevent at least some blood from flowing around, ratherthan flowing through, the capillary tubes 105.

The closed housing 101 also creates a small and isolated internal airspace above the sample media 209. The sample can be further encouragedto dry with the aid of one or more desiccant tablets (not shown) locatedin this air space. For example, a desiccant may be supported by thebackbone 203 adjacent where the sample media 209 sits when the housingis in the closed position.

During or after the housing is closed, a ratcheting mechanism providedby the far end of the backbone 203 encourage the housing to remain shut.For example, the tines 240 may act as a ratcheting pall and engage smallholes 245 or other features in the end of housing piece 101-A (SeeFIG. 1) when the housing is pushed shut. The tines 240 may be shaped topermit opening of the housing only with a pinching tool that accessessmall holes 245 in the side of the housing piece 101-B to release theratchet pawl, e.g. by pinching the tines 240. Thus, once the device 100is closed by pushing the housing pieces 101-A, 101-B together, the bloodsample remains enclosed within, and ready for transport to a remote lab.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective top and side views of one way toimplement the sample media 209 and media support 210. FIG. 4C is a topview of the media 209 and FIG. 4D a top view of the support 210.

The media 209 may be a generally rectangular, thin, paper or fibrous,membrane that slips under or fits into tabs 401, 402. Tabs 401, 402 maybe cut into or formed as port of support 410 to hold media 209 in place.The support 210 may also have a handle portion 410. The handle 410 mayconform to extensions 222 in the frame pieces 208, 211. The handle 410and makes it easier to handle the collection media 209 when it isremoved from the housing 101. The handle 410 may also have otherfeatures such as shaped peripheral edges 412 to provide a more securefit of the support 410 (and/or frame pieces 208, 211) within thehousing.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a collection element 250 sometime after a bloodsample has been taken and after it has been removed from the housing101. Note a blood loading location 500 that was located adjacent thesample port 102 when the sample was taken. A first region 501 of thesample media 209 contains filtered red blood cells (RBCs). However otherportions of the blood sample have diffused through the media 209, toprovide a sample separation region 502 and a purified plasma region 503.

FIG. 6 is a view of the device 100 with both of the top housing covers201-A-1 and 201-B-1 removed. The backbone 203 is seen to now include notjust an area to support the inlay 252 that defines the well 104, butalso a plunger support area 611 to the left of the well 104, and asample media area 612. A ribbed section 614 on the right-hand sidesupports one or more tablets of desiccant 630 in FIG. 6 over the samplemedia area 612. Three plungers 202 are shown on the left-hand sideretained in position by a pair of supports 616, 617 in the lower lefthousing piece 201-A-2. As explained in more detail below, each of theplungers 202 is aligned with a corresponding one of the capillary tubes204.

FIG. 7 shows the plunger support area 611 and inlay piece 252 in moredetail. The left ends of the plungers 202 are connected to a tab 619that rests against an inside edge 620 of the lower housing piece201-A-2. In this way, the plungers 202 are forced into the capillaries105 as the housing is closed shut. Note that the right-hand sides of theplungers 202 are inserted into corresponding holes (not shown in FIG. 7)formed in the inlay 252 which are in turn aligned with an inlet of thecapillary tubes 204.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the bottom of part of the support member 203with the bottom housing covers 201-A-2, 201-B-2 now also removed.Collection media 209 and support 210 have been removed for the sake ofillustration in this figure. Ribs 801 on the left end of the support 203may further assist with guiding the plungers 202 into the inlay 252.Also note a lateral slot 803 is formed on the right-hand side of theinlay 252 adjacent the outlet of the capillary tubes 105. The slot 803provides an exit path from the capillaries for the collected blood. Oneor more ridges 820 adjacent slot 803 may further encourage blood exitingthe tubes 204 to travel to the lateral slot 803.

FIG. 9 is a partial view of the backside of the inlay 252 similar toFIG. 8, but now with collection element 250 inserted into backbone 203.Note that the position of collection element 250, including frames 208(and 211, not shown in FIG. 9) hold collection media 209 adjacent theexit path from the capillaries 105 and lateral slot 803.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing more detail of the components of oneexample implementation of an inlay 252.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of the inlay 252.

FIG. 12 is a resilient insert part 1030 of the inlay 252.

In this implementation the inlay 252 consists of three parts, a wellpiece 1010, a capillary support 1020, and a resilient insert 1030. Thewell piece 1010 and capillary support 1020 may be formed of a rigid,visually transparent plastic. The inlay 252 may be assembled by engagingpins 1040 on the well piece 1010 into corresponding holes 1050 in thecapillary support 1020.

The well piece 1010 generally serves to define the well 104 as adepression or bowl into which the blood sample is initially introducedby the patient. Longitudinal holes 1015 in the well piece 1010 provideguidance for plungers (not shown in FIG. 10).

The capillary support 1020 has longitudinal holes 1060 with a diameterappropriate for firmly holding the capillary tubes 105 in alignment withthe plungers (not shown in FIG. 10). Here, three capillaries 105 aresupported by the inlay 252, but it is possible to have fewer or agreater number of capillaries 105. Although not seen in this view,capillary support 1020 also defines, in whole or in part, the lateralslot 803 at the exit end of the capillaries.

The insert 1030 is formed of a resilient plastic or rubber. It isdisposed between the well piece 1010 and capillary support 1020. Theinsert 1030 also has a number of holes 1035 formed therein to permit acorresponding number of the capillaries 105 to be inserted through it.Having a generally rectangular shape, insert 1030 preferably has anupper curved ridge 1210. Note the upper ridge on the piece 1101 nowprovides an edge adjacent the well on which the patient (or a caregiver)can swipe the fingertip to encourage filling the well 1010 with blood.The ridge on piece 1101 may be treated, coated, or formed of ahydrophobic material, to facilitate blood not sticking thereto andinstead being directed to the sample well.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate implementation of theinlay 252, here formed from a single piece of resilient material, suchas injection molded silicone. This version 1300 of the inlay otherwisehas the same features as the inlay 252 version shown in FIG. 10,including at least a sample well 1301, finger swipe ridge 130, andlateral slot 1320.

FIG. 14 is a view of the backbone 203 with housing covers removed,showing one possible location of a desiccant 1402 in tablet form. Notethe tablet 1402 is held in place above the sample media 209 such as nearthe exit end of the capillaries (not shown in FIG. 14). Although onlyone desiccant tablet 1402 is shown, certainly more than one may beprovided. Also note here that one corner 1450 of one or more of thehousing pieces, for example, housing piece 201-B-2, may have a shapethat is different from the other corners of the other housing pieces101. For example, corner 1450 may be chamfered while the other cornersare rounded. Corner 1450, having a different shape, may assist withregistration of the device 100 with automated handling or processingequipment.

FIG. 15 is a close up view of the plungers 202, illustrating that theends 1501 thereof may be ribbed or castellated, to further promote bloodflow into and through the capillaries 105.

FIG. 16 is a detailed view of one way to further hold the collectionelement 250 within backbone 203, via one or more spring clips 1601. Theclips 1601 may engage or press against one end of the media support 210.The clips 1601 may also engage other corresponding features in thebackbone 203 or housing pieces 201-B-2 (not shown). Note that a barcode1600 or other identifying indicia such as a QR code, or referencenumber, may be printed on or on a label affixed to a back side of thecollection element 250.

In use, the device 100 is a very convenient way to collect bloodexpressed by a patient after using a lancet on one of his/her fingers.Commercially-available lancets may be used, and it generally is thechoice of the user to select the type of lancet. Once a drop of bloodhas been expressed on the finger, the patient skims the drop into a well104 in the sample collection port 102 by gliding the finger across theprotruding resilient edge 1030. The blood drop, through gravitationalforce and surface forces, proceeds to the bottom of the well 104 whereit encounters openings in the collection (metering) capillaries 105.From there, blood is further drawn into the collection element 250including the sample storage media 209, further encouraged by plungersthat force blood out of the capillaries as the two housing pieces areclosed together.

The closed device 100 then creates a small and isolated internal airspace which can be quickly dried with the aid of desiccant tabletscontained in an internal pocket. In its current form, use of LF1 paperas a collection media creates spots of red-cell free plasma as well asplasma-depleted whole blood. The LF1 paper's structure causesdifferential migration, with a slower rate for red cells, resulting in agradual separation of plasma sample the further down the paper thesample migrates. Plasma is far better for any quantitative blood test,eliminating red cells, which tend to interfere with many analyte assays.

The device 100 therefore offers substantially better opportunity forhigh-quality quantitative assays as compared to standard dried bloodspots. Furthermore, infectious disease tests can still be done on thered cell portion of the dried sample—though plasma-depleted, it is stilladequate for accurate detection of infectious agents.

The device is also an ideal mechanism for blood sample preservation andtransport. Once the device is closed, the blood sample is enclosedwithin, largely cut off from the external environment. Upon closing bythe user, the device uses the ratcheting mechanism to ensure it remainslocked and shut. It can be opened only with the use of a pinching toolthat accesses the small holes 245 in the side of the housing 101 toreleases the ratchet pawl.

Observations

A. Device that Collects, Stabilizes, and Stores a Predetermined Amountof Body Fluid

-   -   i) It is now understood that a fluid sample collection device        may include a housing configurable from an open position to a        closed position; a sample collection well for collecting fluid;        one or more capillaries, arranged to draw in fluid from the        sample collection well through capillary action, the capillaries        having a predetermined volume; a membrane; one or more plungers,        disposed in line with the capillaries and arranged to dispense        fluid from the capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is        moved from the open to the closed position; and a fluid        stabilization agent, arranged to engage the fluid as the one or        more plungers dispense fluid onto the membrane.    -   ii) The stabilization agent may be heparin and/or EDTA, or        coated onto an interior of at least one of the capillaries, or        coated onto the membrane.    -   iii) A removable support element, may be disposed within the        housing, for supporting the membrane in place adjacent an exit        port of the capillaries.    -   iv) The housing may additionally include a desiccant region        adjacent the membrane. A desiccant may be a tablet; and a        structure may holding the desiccant tablet adjacent the        membrane.    -   v) One or more of the capillaries may be coated with a reagent,        or hold a predetermined amount of a liquid reagent. The storage        membrane may contain the reagent.    -   vi) The membrane may a testing strip in part or in whole, such        an immunoassay strip. Such a test strip may be disposed in-line        with an exit port of one of the capillaries. The test strip may        be some other type of assay disposed on or adjacent to the whole        blood collection membrane.    -   vii) A stored reagent may be mixed with the fluid when the        housing is moved from the open position to the closed position.    -   viii) A ridge portion may be disposed adjacent the sample well.        It may be hydrophobic.    -   ix) A collection element disposed within the housing, may        further include a depression formed therein to provide the        sample well; and a raised ridge portion formed adjacent the        depression and extending along only a portion an outer edge of        the depression. The depression may be circular.        B. Window to View Progress of Sample Well and/or Capillaries        and/or Assay    -   i) It is also understood now that a fluid sample collection        device may include a housing configurable from an open position        to a closed position; a sample collection well, disposed within        the housing, for collecting fluid; one or more capillaries,        arranged to draw in fluid from the sample collection well        through capillary action, the capillaries having a predetermined        volume; a membrane; one or more plungers, disposed in line with        the capillaries and arranged to dispense fluid from the        capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is moved from the        open to the closed position, and wherein the sample well is        visible and exposed to receive the fluid when the housing is in        the open position; wherein the housing at least partially        encloses the sample well when the housing is in the closed        position; and an optically transparent window, located within        the housing, provides a view of at least a portion of the sample        well and/or at least one of the capillaries and/or the membrane        when the housing is in either the open or the closed position.    -   ii) The window may be located adjacent the capillaries.    -   iii) The capillaries may be visibly transparent, so that when        the housing is in the open position, the capillaries provide a        visible indication that a sample of fluid is being collected by        the device.    -   iv) In addition, when the housing is in the closed position, the        optically transparent window may provides an indication whether        a sufficient sample of fluid was drawn into the device.    -   v) The device may include a first housing section and second        housing section engaged and are slidable along a center support        section, to allow moving the housing from the open position to        the closed position.    -   vi) The center support section may include the sample well.    -   vii) In some arrangements, the first housing piece includes an        optically transparent window arrange to provide a view of one or        more capillaries when the housing is the closed position.    -   viii) The center support section may hold the capillaries in        fixed alignment with the optically transparent window.    -   ix) In some configurations, the membrane provides one or more of        a sample storage region or an assay region.        C. Inlay Element Provides Alignment and Support for Capillaries    -   i) It is also now appreciated that a fluid sample collection        device may include a housing configurable from an open position        to a closed position; a sample collection well, disposed within        the housing, for collecting fluid; one or more capillaries,        arranged to draw in fluid from the sample collection well        through capillary action, the capillaries having a predetermined        volume; a sample storage membrane; one or more plungers,        disposed in line with the capillaries and arranged to dispense        fluid from the capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is        moved from the open to the closed position; and a support        element or so-called “inlay” disposed within the housing to        retain at least one capillary in alignment with at least one of        the plungers as the housing is moved from the open position to        the closed position.    -   ii) The support element may further include one or more thru        holes, each for engaging a respective one of capillaries.    -   iii) All or part of the support element may be formed of a        resilient material.    -   iv) The device may be configured such that two or more of the        plungers are connected to a tab attachment on an end distal from        the capillaries.    -   v) The housing may comprise a first housing section and second        housing section, with the housing being in the open position        when the two sections are spaced apart from one another, and the        housing being in the closed position when the two housing        sections are moved adjacent one another.    -   vi) In certain configurations, a tab attachment is disposed in        mechanical communication with the first housing section, such        that as the two housing sections are moved adjacent one another,        the plungers also move and force fluid through the capillary        tubes.    -   vii) The support element may further comprise a slot disposed at        an exit port of the one or more capillaries. Such a slot may be        disposed to further direct fluid from the capillaries towards        the sample storage membrane.    -   viii) A lateral flange may be disposed adjacent the capillaries        and the slot to further encourage fluid to pass to the lateral        slot.    -   ix) In addition, the plungers may further each include a        circumferential seal.    -   x) The support element may be visually transparent.        D. Pinch to Open for Access to Membrane    -   i) In other configurations, a fluid sample collection device        includes a housing configurable from an open position to a        closed position; a sample collection well for collecting fluid;        one or more capillaries, arranged to draw in fluid from the        sample collection well through capillary action, the capillaries        having a predetermined volume; a membrane; one or more plungers,        disposed in line with the capillaries and arranged to dispense        fluid from the capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is        moved from the open to the closed position; a removable support        element disposed within the housing and providing support for        the membrane; and an opening in the housing to enable access to        the membrane.    -   ii) A fluid stabilization agent may be deposited in at least one        of the capillaries or on the membrane.    -   iii) The removable support element may include a ratcheting        mechanism that is engaged when the housing is moved from the        open to the closed position.    -   iv) In such a case, the housing includes one or more access        openings adjacent the ratcheting mechanism.    -   v) Furthermore, the ratcheting mechanism may comprise a pawl        that is releasable via the one or more access openings.        E. Mylar Substrate with Tabs for Membrane    -   i) It is also understood how fluid sample collection assembly        includes a substrate having a pair of engagement tabs therein        and spaced apart from one another; anda blood sample collection        region, located adjacent the substrate and sized to fit between        the engagement tabs.    -   ii) The substrate may be formed of mylar.    -   iii) In some configurations, the engagement tabs are formed by        cutting slots in the substrate.    -   iv) The membrane may be a strip of LF1 paper, Pall membrane, or        a bound glass fiber filter, or other membrane to separate serum        or whole blood into a blood portion and a plasma portion.    -   v) The membrane can also be treated with heparin, EDTA, sugars,        or other stabilization agents.    -   vi) Here, also, the housing can be re-configurable from an open        position to a closed position, or have a sample collection well        for collecting fluid; or include one or more capillaries,        arranged to draw in fluid from the sample collection well        through capillary action, the capillaries having a predetermined        volume; or one or more plungers, disposed in line with the        capillaries and arranged to dispense fluid from the capillaries        onto the membrane when the housing is moved from the open to the        closed position.

Therefore, it should be understood that in light of the above, variousmodifications and additions may be made to the device without departingfrom the true scope of the inventions made.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for collecting a biologicalsample, the apparatus comprising: a housing configurable from an openposition to a closed position; a sample collection port configured tocollect the biological sample when the housing is in the open position;one or more fluid pathways configured to draw in the biological samplefrom the collection port; a membrane, disposed within the housing,wherein the membrane comprises a preservative, a structural memberdisposed within the housing and configured to hold the membrane withinthe housing; a mechanical actuator, configured to dispense thebiological sample from the one or more fluid pathways onto the membranewhen the housing is moved from the open position to the closed position;and a desiccant; wherein a portion of said membrane is configured toseparate cellular material from the biological sample when thebiological sample is introduced onto the membrane, wherein the housingis further configured to allow the fluid pathways to be viewed when thehousing is in the open position; wherein the one or more fluid pathwayscomprise a capillary tube, wherein the apparatus further comprises areagent (i) coated on an inner surface of the capillary tube or (ii)comprised in the membrane, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises oneor more plungers which are configured to be inserted into the one ormore fluid pathways, and wherein the sample collection port isinaccessible when the housing is in the closed position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises two or more pieces,and wherein the structural member contains the sample collection port,supports the two or more pieces, allows the two or more pieces to moverelative to each other along a length of the structural member from theopen position to the closed position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: an area in or adjacent to the sample collection porthaving a hydrophobic property.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themechanical actuator comprises two or more plungers, and wherein two ormore of the two or more plungers are activated in parallel upon closingthe housing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preservativecomprises a sugar.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: abarcode or other identifying indicia.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising: a preservative or stabilizing reagent, disposedwithin the fluid pathways.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: one or more capillary tubes positioned between the samplecollection port and the membrane, the one or more capillary tubesconfigured to dispense the portion of the biological sample from thecollection port onto the membrane upon actuation of the mechanicalactuator.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an area in oradjacent to the sample port having a hydrophobic property.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a dried reagent configured tobe placed in a path of the biological sample as it is dispensed to themembrane.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a lockingmechanism, configured to lock the housing as it is moved from the firstto the second position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a portionof the housing is configured to allow a volume of the sample within theone or more fluid pathways to be viewed when the housing is in the openposition.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the desiccant iscontained within the housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehousing defines an isolated internal air space above the membrane, andwherein the membrane and the desiccant are in contact with the isolatedinternal air space.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housingdefines an isolated internal air space above the membrane when thehousing is in the closed position, and wherein the membrane and thedesiccant are in contact with the isolated internal air space when thehousing is in the closed position.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent the housing frombeing reopened after it is in the closed position.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the housing further comprises an opening in anexternal surface of the housing, and wherein locking mechanism comprisestines configured to be inserted into the opening when the housing is inthe closed position.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising acapillary support element contacting the one or more fluid pathways,wherein the one or more fluid pathways comprise capillary tubes, whereinthe capillary support element aligns the one or more plungers with thecapillary tubes for actuation when the housing is moved from the openposition to the closed position.